Active communities link worker jobs in London
About the role:
Join Single Homeless Project (SHP) as a Senior Outreach Worker and take a leading role in our response to rough sleeping across Redbridge. This is frontline work with purpose - combining assertive outreach, strong local partnerships and trauma-informed practice to help people move away from the streets for good. You’ll be part of a committed, values-driven team working closely with housing, health, substance use and immigration services to create real opportunities for change.
As a Senior Outreach Worker, you’ll lead outreach shifts across the borough, offering direction, reassurance and momentum to a team of Outreach Workers while holding a focused caseload of people facing complex challenges. Working in close partnership with Navigators, you’ll help ensure each person’s journey off the streets is joined-up, consistent and grounded in trust. You’ll balance hands-on engagement with thoughtful coordination, modelling best practice and keeping people at the centre of every decision.
This role is for someone who wants to shape practice, not just deliver it. At SHP, you’ll be trusted to bring your experience, judgement and ideas to the table, with the support to keep learning and pushing boundaries. If you’re motivated by impact, thrive in a leadership role that stays close to the work, and want to be part of a service that believes change is possible, we’d love to hear from you.
About you:
- You bring solid experience of working alongside people who are rough sleeping or at risk of street homelessness, and you’re motivated by work that leads to real change.
- You’re confident taking the lead on outreach shifts, supporting others to do their best work and setting a calm, purposeful tone when it matters most.
- You understand homelessness pathways, safeguarding and the wider systems people are navigating, and you know how to work within them while still challenging what doesn’t work.
- You build strong, effective relationships with partners across statutory and voluntary services, using collaboration to open doors and keep things moving forward.
- You stay grounded under pressure, think clearly when situations are complex, and are driven by a strong sense of social justice that aligns with SHP’s values of hope, inclusion and transformation.
About us:
We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.
In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up.
We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own.
Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable.
We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.
Important info:
Closing date: Sunday 18th January at midnight
Interview date: Monday 26th January online via Microsoft Teams
Please note shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a short psychometric test before being confirmed for interview.
This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant.
Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications requiring sponsorship will not be accepted or progressed.
Registered Charity
501 - 1000
Preventing homelessness, transforming lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Come join an incredible team using joy, adventure and the outdoors to transform the mental health of London's most disadvantaged children. We're looking for someone a little bit special who believes in the deep potential of children who are not thriving elsewhere in life.
The position is a dual role. You’ll join as one of three dedicated Youth Workers and will lead on a portion of Free to Be Kids’ year-round follow-on support for vulnerable young people who we have already engaged via our Thrive Outside residentials. Crucially, a core aspect of the role will be leading an average of 8-10 of our residential projects across each year - working on the ground with the children, leading the volunteers, and helping make the projects special, safe, and transformative for vulnerable young people, many of whom have complex needs. You’ll be joining a small staff team of 9, supplemented by a vibrant and committed group of volunteers.
Attendance at approximately 8-10 five-six night residential projects per year outside London is a core component of this role. A full driving licence is not required but may be an advantage.
Watch our 2 min introductory video to see the power of what we do. https://bit.ly/ASummaryOfOurWork
On offer to the right candidate:
Salary: Circa £29,000-£32,000, dependent on experience.
Hours: Fulltime: 37.5 hours per week. Essential attendance on at c.8-10 residential projects a year.
Leave: 25 days per year, plus bank holidays and up to 13 additional pre-set discretionary reward days in September and during the Christmas period.
Other benefits: 4% employer pension contribution paid on full base salary, rising by 1% per year of service, up to a maximum of 7%, hybrid working, office with great transport links, flexible working (outside core hours), employee reward scheme, a tight-knit effective team with great morale.
Based: Hybrid – our small office in Waterloo, London. Hybrid working is well established with the majority of the team splitting time around 50:50 between the office and home.
To start: February-March 2026
.
Who we’re looking for:
Our next Youth Work hero. You'll be fun, active, energised, resilient, and experienced in work with young people with complex needs, and looking to join an organisation you can believe in and who in return will believe and invest in you.
You’ll have multi years’ experience working alongside young people who might struggle in other settings and will be used to dealing with a range of behaviours and complex support needs, ideally including mental health support needs,with a good understanding of safeguarding. A basic level of comfortableness in the outdoors, resilience to keep going with a smile when it's wet outside, and the silliness to be the first to jump into the lake will see you in good stead for this role.
You’ll have the flexibility to work away from home on up to 10 week-long residential projects per year. Ideally, you’ll also have experience of leading projects for children – whether residential or non-residential. Experience of working on or leading residentials projects themselves is not required but may be an advantage.
We are a small, vibrant, fun and friendly staff team of 9, growing to 11 when these 2 Youth Worker vacancies are filled, supported by a committed volunteer base of around 200.
We are particularly keen to encourage applications from those who can help us represent the lived experiences of our children through their own lived experience or background.
To apply:
See full Job Description & Person Specification on our website.
Send all 3 application elements in one email to the address within the application pack by the closing date of 8pm, Tuesday 13th January 2026.
- CV or up to date LinkedIn profile.
- A short introductory video of 1-3 minutes (maximum) showing your vibrancy, fit for the role, recapping your existing experience, and telling us something interesting about yourself! (Top tips: Keep it fast paced and lively; shorter may be better; touch on the person characteristics set for the role; something filmed quickly on your phone which feels organic is what we’re looking for.) As this is a people facing role the video’s purpose is to help bring life to your application, whilst helping us filter out solely AI written ones. We want to get a strong sense of YOU as we are looking for FIT with the organization, as well as experience.
- (optional) A short (1 side max) cover letter to bring your application to life.
Selection Process and Timeline:
Selection will be via two stage interview. As there is only a short turnaround from application closure on 13th January to 1st stage interviews 8th-9th January, we will assess applications and offer interview slots throughout the window. However, you will not be disadvantaged if you need to wait till the closing date to submit.
1st stage interviews: Monday 19th - Wednesday 21st January (virtual). We may offer some interview slots throughout the window but you will not be disadvantaged if you need to wait till towards the deadline to apply.
2nd stage final interviews: Wednesday 28th - Thursday 29th th January (in-person, London Waterloo)
Please hold interview dates as alternates dates are unlikely to be available.
The role requires an Enhanced DBS check and existing right to work in the UK.
If you have any questions about the role, contact us via our website and we’d be happy to arrange an informal chat. We look forward to hearing from you!
Registered Charity
6 - 10
Using joy, adventure and the outdoors to transform particularly vulnerable London children's mental health.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Job Title: Independent Visitor Co-ordinator
Service: Children’s Rights Services, London and the South East
Reporting to: London Lead IV Coordinator
Salary: £16,200-£16,605 per annum (£27,000-£27,675 FTE)
Location: Hybrid, Coram Campus with homeworking and work in the community
Hours: 21 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Job Introduction
· Are you passionate about supporting and developing volunteers?
· Are you looking for an opportunity to help make positive differences to the lives of children and young people who are looked after or care leavers of the local authority?
· Do you want to work with a leading national independent children’s charity?
Then come join us here at Coram Voice. We have an exciting opportunity for you to become a co-ordinator of our independent visiting service in London.
We are seeking candidates who are committed to our objectives for children and young people and equally committed to the organisation and the development of our services. We recognise we are a predominantly white workforce and are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from diverse communities in order to improve the services to the children and young people we help.
Our work
Coram Voice is a national independent children’s charity established in 1975 and has grown to become one of the leading organisations for children and young people in the UK.
Coram Voice is a leading children’s rights organisation. We champion the rights of children. We get young voices heard in decisions that matter to them and work to improve the lives of children in care, care leavers and others who depend upon the help of the state.
We provide:
· Advocacy services direct to children and young people in care, in need, in custody and to care leavers and children and young people with severe and complex mental health problems. Advocates around the country support children and young people to get their voice heard in decisions about their lives. This may be through the telephone helpline or through an advocate working directly with a child, for instance, to support them at a review meeting or to help them make a complaint about their care. Coram Voice provides visiting advocacy services to most of the secure units nationally, to Secure Training Centres, Juvenile Young Offender Institutions, psychiatric hospitals, residential special schools and children’s homes.
· A National Helpline to provide access for children and young people to advocacy and advice, with access to legal advice and links with other national services.
· Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) to advocate for young people as qualifying patients under the Mental Health Act, in order to fully support them to get their views heard in matters relating to their mental health.
· Independent Visitor services offers a child or young person in care an adult volunteer who provides independent, one-to-one visiting, advice and befriending support. Our independent visitors can become the only long-term, consistent source of support throughout a young person's time in care.
· Independent services provide independent person services for complaints by children and for reviewing whether children should be locked up in secure units on welfare grounds.
· Policy and campaigning to create a better system for all children and young people looked after by the state, for their care to be more child-centred and to give young people a greater say in decisions about their lives.
· Participation services to ensure children and young people have a voice in the development and delivery of services and campaigns, and through the process, provide the opportunity to develop relevant skills which will be of benefit to them in their future lives.
· Training, development and information for young people, advocates and child care workers, offering courses in advocacy, children’s rights and child-centred practice across a range of areas including the National Advocacy Qualification.
About the Role
You will co-ordinate and deliver a statutory independent visitor service to children and young people in care or care leavers of London.
You will recruit, assess and train volunteers to become independent visitors, who are volunteer befrienders to children and young people looked after or care leavers. You will manage a cash flow to fund suitable activities for independent visitors to enjoy with the young person. You will manage data and reporting for this statutory service so that service leads and other stakeholders can understand the activity in the service.
We are a child led service, you will not act outside of the young person’s instructions (except in matters of child protection and safety.) You will build strong relationships with the child or young person, independent visitors and other significant adults, you will support Independent Visitors to develop long term, meaningful friendships with the young person.
You will work in partnership with other parts of the service, organisation and external agencies and professionals. This is to ensure there are pathways to attract and retain Independent Visitors in the area and sometimes out of area.
What you will receive
We wish to reward and recognise the valuable contributions our staff make to the organisation and offer an attractive benefits package to do so. Coram Voice benefits package includes a competitive salary, a matched pension scheme up to 5% of salary, generous leave entitlements of 28 days’ annual leave per year, with increases linked to years worked at Coram Voice. A supportive work environment fostering a good work/home life balance and a suite of family friendly policies, which promote employee wellbeing.
You will get a genuine opportunity to make a difference every day.
Recruitment process
Shortlisting will be undertaken by Grace Maher, Children’s Rights Services Manager and Jade Joseph, London Lead IV Coordinator. Successful candidates will then be invited for interview. The interview process comprises of a written exercise and a panel interview. Successful candidates will have a further one to one interview in accordance within Warner recommendations. Internal candidates will need to notify HR of their interest in the post and they will provide further information on the internal application process.
Returning your application:
· We cannot accept general CVs. When completing your application form, address each point of the person specification and demonstrate how you meet it.
· Applications must be fully completed.
The deadline for applications to be returned is 11.59pm on Sunday 1st February 2026.
Interviews will be arranged for Thursday 12th and Friday 13th February 2026.
Registered Charity
Coram changes lives, laws and systems to create better chances for children, now and forever.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Family Support Worker
Maternity Cover up to 12 months
£24,000 pa + Company Car and benefits (including 25 days annual leave, reward scheme and pension)
Essex and surrounding areas, including Romford, Ilford, Harlow, Loughton, Chelmsford
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.
About the role:
We are looking to appoint a Family Support Worker for a fixed term period of up to 12 months, on a full time basis (35 hours per week) to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of our Essex Care Team.
Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the Essex Care Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness.
Having worked in a stressful and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change - and how best to help others deal with its impact.
Location:
This role covers Essex and surrounding areas, including Romford, Ilford, Harlow, Loughton & Chelmsford.
What we’re looking for:
· An experienced child health, education or social care professional - applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, health or social care
· A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly
· Practiced in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection - you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines
· Practical and people-oriented - you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MSOffice)
· A persuasive and open communicator - you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates
· A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people and their families – aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.
What we offer:
· We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, including:
· Flexible working hours to balance home and working life
· Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline via Help@Hand
· Company car for front line care posts
· 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays – rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 years to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)
· Time off in Lieu
· Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts
· Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes
· A recommend a friend recruitment bonus scheme
· Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year
· Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%
· The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping
Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth
If you’d like to find out more about these benefits and working with us, please visit our website.
As part of our learning and development Anne Harris Skills Development Programme, we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trusts strategic plan, supporting staff to be their best and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation.
Our Family Support Teams are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months, including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, counselling skills, introduction to play.
The programme aims to provide a building block for you to individually tailor your own learning and development needs.
About us:
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of time together, providing expert, practical and emotional support, where they need it for as long as it is needed. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.
How to apply:
Please visit our website via the link and apply online.
Interview Date to be confirmed
Please disclose on your application form if you have used AI for any part of your job application.
Interviews will take place at our Essex Care Team office with the dates to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful. If you require any adjustments during the interview process, please let us know.
There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.
Rainbow Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are a Best Companies One-Star rated organisation.
Thank you!
Family Support Worker
£24,000 pa + Company Car and benefits (including 25 days annual leave, reward scheme and pension)
Essex and surrounding areas, including Romford, Ilford, Harlow, Loughton, Chelmsford
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.
About the role:
We are looking to appoint a Family Support Worker, on a full time basis (35 hours per week) to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of our Essex Care Team.
Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the Essex Care Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness.
Having worked in a stressful and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change - and how best to help others deal with its impact.
Location:
This role covers Essex and surrounding areas, including Romford, Ilford, Harlow, Loughton & Chelmsford.
What we’re looking for:
· An experienced child health, education or social care professional - applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, health or social care
· A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly
· Practiced in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection - you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines
· Practical and people-oriented - you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MSOffice)
· A persuasive and open communicator - you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates
· A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people and their families – aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.
What we offer:
· We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, including:
· Flexible working hours to balance home and working life
· Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline via Help@Hand
· Company car for front line care posts
· 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays – rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 years to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)
· Time off in Lieu
· Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts
· Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes
· A recommend a friend recruitment bonus scheme
· Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year
· Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%
· The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping
Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth
If you’d like to find out more about these benefits and working with us, please visit our website.
As part of our learning and development Anne Harris Skills Development Programme, we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trusts strategic plan, supporting staff to be their best and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation.
Our Family Support Teams are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months, including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, counselling skills, introduction to play.
The programme aims to provide a building block for you to individually tailor your own learning and development needs.
About us:
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of time together, providing expert, practical and emotional support, where they need it for as long as it is needed. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.
How to apply:
Please visit our website via the link and apply online.
Interview Date to be confirmed
Please disclose on your application form if you have used AI for any part of your job application.
Interviews will take place at our Essex Care Team office with the dates to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful. If you require any adjustments during the interview process, please let us know.
There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.
Rainbow Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are a Best Companies One-Star rated organisation.
Thank you!
Please note: this role carries a genuine occupational requirement that the postholder is Black or Minoritised Ethnic (African, Asian or Caribbean heritage). Please confirm this in writing in your application, and we will re-confirm this prior to finalising our shortlist for interview
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join our sector-leading UK Voice and Influence Team, and work very closely with our brilliant SEEN Programme, as well as our Children's Services across the UK.
What this role will do
This role will have an important role in helping the charity deliver its strategic commitment to listening and responding to the voices and experiences of young people across the UK – and in particular the voices and experiences of Black or Minoritised Ethnic young people, who are often less-heard.
The role will promote a culture of inclusion and belonging by playing a leading role on delivering our ambition to:
build and support an engaged, diverse network of young people from across the UK who represent a broad range of identities and lived experiences, and who can speak out and work alongside Barnardo's.
Key tasks for this role
The role will:
- Lead on the recruitment, coordination and support of young people signed up to our B-Amplified Youth Network.
- Support our SEEN Young Ambassadors, and coordinate their engagement in the wider B-Amplified Network offer
- Act as a subject matter expert in voice and influence practice and anti-racism, working alongside our Children's Services as a critical friend to support the delivery of excellent and inclusive services.
More information is in the Additional Information Sheet attached to this advert.
Who we're looking for
We're looking for someone who has:
- At least five years' experience in a role working directly with children and/or young people in a health, social care, education or youth work setting – a youth and community work (or similar) qualification is desirable but not essential.
- Demonstrable knowledge experience of designing, delivering and evaluating strategic voice and influence activities with young people – particularly in online or virtual contexts.
- Knowledge and understanding of the practical application of anti-racist principles and practice.
- Experience of working across complex structures, hierarchies and partnerships, with experience of working with a range of stakeholders at different levels.
- Ability to plan, deliver and evaluate projects, collaboratively and effectively.
- Excellent collaboration, networking and partnership-working skills.
The successful candidate must also:
- Be of African, Asian, Caribbean heritage – this is a genuine occupational requirement, and an essential requirement, as noted above.
- Be able to travel across the UK on a regular basis, including overnight stays – living close to a national rail station and/or airport will be a significant benefit.
- Be able to work flexibly to accommodate direct work with young people outside of 'normal' hour (i.e. evenings and weekends) – for which TOIL can be claimed, or overtime hours in extraordinary circumstances.
Important to note:
We recognise the inherent power dynamics at play, and that the occupational requirement does not imply that the responsibility to ‘solve' the issue of diversity rests solely with a minoritised individual (or team). Instead, this role forms part of a wider, intentional commitment across the organisation to embed anti-racist and inclusive practice at every level and is why we have proposed a matrix management approach - to ensure the role is not siloed, but meaningfully supported and connected across teams.
A key focus will be to understand and address the structural and cultural barriers that children's services and internal teams may face when engaging with Black or Minoritised Ethnic young people.
When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification, Job Description and Additional Information document (if applicable). This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.